4. Chanhassen, MN

Chanhassen was affected by Minnesota’s woes during the downturn, but the town is bouncing back and taking fresh steps to improve. The area school district recently provided $700,000 in grants for classroom tech projects and is now rolling out Wi-Fi on all school buses. The town also beefed up commuter options.

The housing market, which took a big hit, is surging back. Jobs have remained strong, and nearby Minneapolis offers big-name employers like Target and the Mayo Clinic.

One perk of Twin Cities-area living is access to the great outdoors. Chanhassen’s highlights include 34 parks, 90 miles of trails, and the 1,137-acre Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. When below-zero wind chills set in, there’s February Festival with ice-fishing contests, sledding, and cookouts. –Veronica Crews

Correction: An earlier version of this profile stated the Mayo Clinic is in Minneapolis. It is in Rochester, MN.

Chanhassen, MN

Town stats

Median family income (per year)

$124,200

Job growth % (2010-2012)

4.16%

Median home price (2012)

$201,5001

Reading test scores (% above/below average)

13.3%

Math test scores (% above/below average)

16.9%

Personal crime incidents (per 1,000)

13

Property crime incidents (per 1,000)

173

Financials

Median family income (per year)

$124,200

Family purchasing power (annual, cost-of-living adjusted)

$114,523

Sales tax

6.88%

State income tax rate (highest bracket)

7.85%I

State income tax rate (lowest bracket)

5.35%I

Auto insurance premiums (Average price quotes, for the state)

$1,594

Job growth % (2010-2012)

4.16%

Housing

Median home price (2012)

$201,5001

Average property taxes (2012)

$4,498

Education

Colleges, universities and
professional schools (within 30 miles)

35

Reading test scores (% above/below state average)

13.3%

Test scores math (% above/below average)

16.9%

% students attending public/private schools (located within town limits)